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Re: Cheap alternative to Macro Lens??

Originally Posted by yehosaphat

Which personal alternative would you use for marco photography besides using a dedicated macro lens and why?

It is the only option that does not add optics. Teleconverters only double the magnification but may not bring you close enough. Close up filters will add aberration. Others? Bellow just act like extension tubes so can classify as extension tubes also.

Re: Cheap alternative to Macro Lens??

Use the reversed lens technique. Biggest hassle is no more body-to-lens communication on aperture, focus, adjustments. Reversing rings cheaply found on Ebay or can be self-made.

There are 2 technique with reverse lens:
1. Use reversal ring, one lens (normally 50mm) reversed on body. You loose interaction between lens and body.

object---------(50mm lens reversed)[reversal ring]{body}

2. Use male thread on both reverse ring. One lens (normally 50mm) attached to the front of another lens. This 50mm act like close up +20 filter to another lens. You not loose interaction between another lens and body.

Re: Cheap alternative to Macro Lens??

Originally Posted by lsisaxon

It is the only option that does not add optics. Teleconverters only double the magnification but may not bring you close enough. Close up filters will add aberration. Others? Bellow just act like extension tubes so can classify as extension tubes also.

teleconvertor DOES add optics = degrade in image quality. You got cheated of buying a TC without optics is it? TC without optics will be ET already

also, the min focus distance for TC will double accordingly (for a 2x TC), so it defeat the purpose of using it for macro purpose.

i have been using extension tube all these years with a 85mm prime lens, image quality is great as no optics is added. I can get really close to the object as the focus distance is reduced. however, the focus range will depends on the distance and the length of the tube, therefore it is better to buy a set of tubes with different length, so that you can stack them for greater flexibility.

ET is more suitable for static object, for moving object, a macro lens is still better, however the magnification will not be as great as ET.

Re: Cheap alternative to Macro Lens??

Re: Cheap alternative to Macro Lens??

Sorry just to borrow this thread to ask a question - I suppose the Macro mentioned here is only referring to static objects right? How about shooting insects? The close working distance when using macro filter/extension tubes/reversed lens (not sure about TC cos never use before) will scare them away. Is there any accessories/good solution to taking insect macro when one do not have a dedicated macro lens?

Re: Cheap alternative to Macro Lens??

Originally Posted by cheersjy

Sorry just to borrow this thread to ask a question - I suppose the Macro mentioned here is only referring to static objects right? How about shooting insects? The close working distance when using macro filter/extension tubes/reversed lens (not sure about TC cos never use before) will scare them away. Is there any accessories/good solution to taking insect macro when one do not have a dedicated macro lens?

Thanks for the advice

That's a tough one on the optics side. But superglue may be one option.

Re: Cheap alternative to Macro Lens??

Originally Posted by cheersjy

Sorry just to borrow this thread to ask a question - I suppose the Macro mentioned here is only referring to static objects right? How about shooting insects? The close working distance when using macro filter/extension tubes/reversed lens (not sure about TC cos never use before) will scare them away. Is there any accessories/good solution to taking insect macro when one do not have a dedicated macro lens?

Re: Cheap alternative to Macro Lens??

Buy a 3rd party macro lens. Get one of those old versions(non-di, non-dg, or MF models?). Definitely around 300+ at the maximum only. I think in the camera gear world, that's considered cheap. My 3rd party macro lens is the 2nd cheapest lens I own(of course I picked it up 2nd hand). The cheapest lens I own is a russian MF lens(not counted?).